Blow-out preventer



March 15, 1927.

W. A. TROUT BLOW- OUT PREVENTER Filed Oct. 15, 1923 INVENTOR, fla /jam )9, 7/ 002;

A TTORNEYS Patented Mar. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM A. TROUT, 015 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

BLOW-OUT PREVENTER.

Application filed October 15, 1923. Serial No. 668,697.

This invention relates to blow-out preventers. and has for an object the provision of a novel form of blow-out preventer which may be associated either with rotary apparatus or cable tools, and which is so formed as to accommodate itself automatically to prevent rapid escape or any escape of gas due to excessive pressure thereof.

\Vhere the invention is used with rotary apparatus, it may be installed within the casing head, with the drlll stem passed through a packing sleeve formmga part of the blow-out preventer, the packing sleeve not in any way interfering with the drilling operation, but the said packing sleeve, 1n case of excessive gas pressure, tightening itself about the drill stem to prevent any passage of gas between such packing sleeve and the drill stem, and likewise to prevent any gas assage through the top of the casing head. t would thus follow that the gas is forced through the circulating pipe or pipes leading from the casing head.

A further object of the invention is to provide a blow-out preventer which may be incorporated with rotary apparatus and not interfere with the successful operation of the drilling tools of such apparatus.

A further object is the provision of a blowout preventer which is readily removable,

simple of construction and eflicient, combining low cost of maintenance and manufacture, and which is positive in its operation.

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in a novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as shown in one embodiment in the accompanying drawing,

described generally and finally pointed out in the claims.

, In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a, fragmentary perspective view, certain parts being in section, of the improved blow-out preventer associated with drill pipe and easing;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view, the drill pipe being in section, of the member shown in Figure 1; and,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, of the blow-out reventer, certain parts being in section, with the said view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and looking-in the direction of the appended arrows.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are designated by the same reference characters.

interior of the casing head B. The opposite.

end of the casing head is enlarged, as shown at 5, and provided on its interior with a beveled well 6 tapering upwardly and out-- wardly from the inner surface 6 of such head. The enlargement 5 is likewise provided with breech lock portions 7. An annular cap member a provided with breech lock portions 8 is adapted to cooperate with the breech lock portions 7 of the head B so as to lock the cap to such head when the cap is given a quarter turn. Said cap is provided with upstanding stubs b which perform a two-fold purpose, one of. which purposes is to provide handle means for lifting the cap from the circulating head, and likewise for turning the cap to lock the same. The blow-out preventer A consists of what may be termed a packing sleeve, being annular in formation and formed at its ends with enlarged flanges c and d. Ring members 6 and f are mounted upon opposite portions of the flange c and bolts 9 are passed through aligned openings in such rings and flange 0, with said bolts carrying bifurcated heads 10. In the showing the rings are locked to the flange 0 between the bifurcated heads 10 of the bolts 9 and the lowermost ring, the said bolts having threaded engagement with the lowermost ring, as shown at 11.

The flange d of the packing sleeve is provided with an annular wedge-shaped portion 12, the outer surface of the same, as 13, being inclined to correspond to the bevelled surface 6 in the enlargement 5 of the circulating head B. The inner surface 14 of such wedge-shaped portion being flush with the inner surface 6 of the head, which is to say, the diameter of this portion of the packing sleeve is the same as that of the head at the portion 6 The flange d is clamped between a ring 15 and the cap a by means of screw threaded bolts 16 carry ing bifurcated heads 17, the said heads bearing against a surface of the ring 15 with the bolt portion passed through aligned openings in the ring, the flange (Z. the cap a. and thence into screw-threaded bores in the studs 1). Arm members 18 are joined between the bifurcated members or heads 17 and 10. In the showing, there are four bifurcated members 17 and likewise four bifurcatedmeinbers 10, and the bifurcated members 10 are immediately below the bii'urcated members 17 so that there may be an arm member .18 for each pair of bifurcated members. The arms 18 are associated. between the furcations of the bifurcated members by any suitable means, such as pins 19. Obviously, any number of arms and bifurcated members might be provided. The internal diameter of the body portion 20 of the packing sleeve or blow-out preventer A is such as to just encompass the periphery of a drill pipe C. The drill pipe C may be circular or square, and if square then the internal diameter of the sleeve would equal a diagonal of such square drill stem. It is intended, in the adaptation of the invention shown, which is for rotary apparatus. that the drill stem should be operated within the sleeve 20 with mud passed through such drill stem or tubing, as is customary, with the mud flowing up on the outside of such drill pipe or tubing and within the casing 2, and thence through the circulation pipe 4 and back to the sump. If there should be an excessive gas pressure, the particular arrangement of the blow-out preventer permits the mud and gas to bear against the outer surface of such sleeve and firmly press the same against the peripheryof the drill pipe C. The rings e and f prevent a spreading of the sleeve at its lower extremity, and the wedge member 12 associated with the flange d is firmly pressed against the bevel edge of the enlargement 5 of the circulation head, and therefore there could be no escape of gas as between the bevel surface of the wedge and of the enlargement 5. Pressure directly upwardly against the flange is communicated to the cap a, but the cap cannot be lifted when it is locked by the breech lock to the head. This form of blow-out preventer will operate with any form or shape of drill tubing and will bind itself against the periphery of such tubing in case of excessive pressure. The sleeve may be made of rubber, composition rubber, and may be reinforced as shown at 21 by fabric or other material.

In the ordinary form of circulation head, it is necessary to remove the head portion thereof in order to make replacements or repairs within such head, and it is diflicult if not impossible to insert any form of blow-out preventer within such head, and in case of impairment of such blow-out preventer the entire head must be dismantled in order to replace the gaskets. With this form of blow-out preventer, the cap a may be readily removable from the head by giving the cap an eighth turn, which will unlock the same from the head, and the blow-out preventer may be lifted from such head without the necessity of totally dismantling the head.

This device may be readily used as a sealing or packing means between casing while inner strings of casing are being inserted. Inspection of the drawing shows that the member A automatically accommodates itself to drilling stems, casing and collars, or obstructions that might be upon such drilling stem or casing, permitting the pas sage of such collar or collars, or obstructions through the sleeve gasket. The device requires no attention whatever on the part of a well operator, but will automatically seal itself around casing or drilling pipe when the pressure increases in the fluid flow from any cause whatsoever.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in practicing the invention, in departure from the particular showing and description as given, without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A blow-out preventer, including a circulating head for well casing provided with a circulation system outlet and adapted to receive tubular drill-operating means; and flexible packing means disposed within said circulating head and extending in part vertically therein and adapted to contact with and surround such drill-operating means when subjected to fluid pressure exerted within such circulating head to direct such fluid under pressure to said outlet; means being provided for supporting said packing means at upper and lower portions thereof.

2. A blow-out preventer, including a circulating head for well casing provided with a circulation system outlet and adapted to receive tubular drill-operating means; and flexible packing means disposed within said circulating head and extending in part vertically therein and adapted to contact with and surround such drill-operating means when subjected to fluid pressure exerted within such circulating head to direct such fluid under pressure to said outlet; means being provided for supporting said packing means at upper and lower portions thereof and at the sides of such circulating head.

3. A blow-out preventer, including a circulating head for well casing, flexible packing means therein adapted to surround and contact with drilling means within the circulating head, such packing means being adapted to extend materially lengthwise of said drilling means, and means being provided for maintaining the material extension of said packing means when subjected to fluid pressure; said latter means comprising approximately rigid members in association with the. upper and lower portions of said packing means, and members extending between said first named members.

4. A blow-out preventer, including a circulating head for well casing, flexible packing means therein adapted to surround and contact with drilling means within the circulating headfsuch packing means being adapted to extend materially lengthwise of said drillingmea-ns, and means being provided for maintaining thevmaterial extension of said packing means when subjected to fluid pressure; said latter means comprising approximately rigid members in association with the upper and lower portions of said packing means, and members; extending between said first named members, said last named members being loosely connected with said first named members to permit relative 2 play of said first named members to prevent collapsion of said packing means under such fluid pressure.

5. Improvements in blow-out preventers, including a flexible packing sleeve provided 25 at one end with an annular flanged portion, said annular flanged portion being provided with an annular wedge-shaped part.

6. Improvements in blow-out preventers, including a flexible packing sleeve flanged at 30 both ends, one of such flanges having its rim portion of extended length and beveled.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM A. TROUT. 

